Today we’d like to introduce you to Anna Choiniere.
Hi Anna, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
My name is Anna, and I was born and raised in Massachusetts. I am a wife to my wonderful husband, Bruce, and a mother to two beautiful children, Auriella, and Easton. My story of how I became a chef started at a young age. I have always loved to cook and especially eat. However, I didn’t grow up cooking with the help of any close family members; in fact, it was quite the opposite. I was never allowed in the kitchen, but I would sneak in to find random ingredients and cook something for lunch when my mother was away. I think the thrill of doing something I wasn’t supposed to made me love it even more. Despite my love for cooking, I felt a greater calling to serve in the United States military. After high school, I enlisted in the U.S. Air Force and served as a firefighter. In the fire department, my love for cooking sparked again. Mealtime in any fire department is a very big deal. Feeding a group of hungry firefighters made me realize how much joy feeding others brought me. While serving, I gave birth to my daughter Auriella Rose, and shortly after, I found myself a very young single mother. Being a young single mother in the military, away from all my friends and family, was the most challenging point in my life. Despite all the hardships I went through, what got me through each day was knowing that at the end of the day, I would go home to cook and enjoy a nice meal with my daughter. That is where the name Raising Rose came from. I created an Instagram page under the name “Raising Rose Kitchen” and posted pictures of my food and videos of my daughter and me. Doing this made me realize how much I wanted to do it forever. I then switched my initial bachelor’s degree program to a business degree and began my path towards my dream. When I left active duty, I went to culinary school full-time at Johnson & Wales University. After graduating, I moved to Charleston, South Carolina, to start working in my dream career. After working in different kitchens under other chefs, I realized how much I wanted to branch out independently. I turned Raising Rose Kitchen into Raising Rose Kitchen LLC and began operating as a private chef and caterer. One year later, I am proud to say that the business is flourishing and growing daily!
Would it have been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It has definitely not been a completely smooth road. While I am blessed to be where I am today, there were many struggles for me along the way. Being a female in a male-dominated industry is a challenging feat. I spent a lot of time in work environments where my voice was not heard. I knew what I had to offer and decided that I could stay true to my morals and values to create something amazing on my own. Other challenges have come from wearing “multiple hats” and finding a balance between being a mother, a wife, a business owner, and a student in my master’s program all at the same time. When running your own business, sometimes you must learn the hard way about how to operate and the keys to success. All the challenges I have faced have made me a better cook and business owner. I pride myself on how far I have come from where I started and how I have two beautiful children who get to see it all unfold.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I am a private chef and caterer. I am proud to offer various skills when it comes to cooking and baking. I have always been an “artist;” art was my favorite subject in school. I bring my artistic talent to each dish, cake, and display I create. I cook with the same love and passion for a client that I do for my own family. I take great pride in offering unique flavors and tastes and not taking any shortcuts. I cook and present relatable yet elegant and elevated food that will leave you thinking about it for a long time. My goal is always to create, inspire, and present a long-lasting memory.
What does success mean to you?
I believe success is entirely subjective. It can be something as big and grand as running and operating an entire business or being proud of a single plate of food served to a guest. Success is achieving an outcome you can say you are truly proud of. Awards, accolades, money, and numbers mean nothing if you cannot take personal pride in what you have to offer.
My personal success has come from living out my dream and knowing that I am inspiring my own children to do the same.
Contact Info:
- Instagram: @chef_raisingrose
- Facebook: RaisingRoseKitchen
Image Credits
Shelby Thorpe Ecclesiastes 3:11 Photography LLC
